After the exhibition match in Abu Dhabi, Rafael Nadal is scheduled to make his official return to competition next week at Brisbane.
Top seed Rafa has a bye to the second round in Brisbane, where he will face either Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or a qualifier. He is seeded to face Aussie teenager Alex de Minaur in the last eight and 2016 champion Milos Raonic in the semis.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Bye
- 2nd round: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Quarter-final: Alex de Minaur
- Semi-final: Daniil Medvedev or Milos Raonic
- Final: Grigor Dimitrov or Kei Nishikori
Projected quarterfinals:
- Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur
- Daniil Medvedev vs Milos Raonic
- Nick Kyrgios vs Kyle Edmund
- Grigor Dimitrov vs Kei Nishikori
Our champ first played Brisbane in 2017 with the tournament proving the perfect preparation for his Australian Open campaign.
Brisbane International 2019 will be held at Queensland Tennis Centre from 30 December 2018 to 6 January 2019. The tournament is part of the Emirates Australian Open Series.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Sometimes when Rafa fans hear news like this Rafa retiring from Mubadala after one game, it is very concerning and worrying as to whether he is 100% fit and ready to go…In 2017 after returning from time out with injury we never heard any news like this, most did not expect that he would reach the finals in such scintillating fashion but that was truly Rafa at his best. I still cannot believe he lost that final he was playing wonderfully well strong and confident and error free tennis if he plays the same this season of 2019 he will be tough to beat but we still don’t know where he is at lets see what happens against Thanasi Kokkinakis or Alex De Minaur two players who are quite capable of beating Rafa if he isn’t at his best good luck champ.
I forget to mention the reason that nadal withdraw is that he was feeling pain again i dont know if that is true but if its true then it is a very bad sign at the beginning of the season
good for him to withdraw the real test comes at brisbane to see where he is right now. For know based on only I match i say that nole is playing very well if he continues like that in the new year then it will be a lost season for roger and rafa.I
That is why rafa needs to play well at brisbane in order to have a good rytm and selfconfidence. I am not sure what to make of his new game. I certainly saw his new serve i prefer him using the us open 2010 serve that serve will help him against the greatest returner of all time novak djokovic.
I also believe that rafa should only play brisbane and australian open if he is 100% psyhically and mentally fit
My fingers crossed that they’re just being extra careful.,vamossssssss Champ 🎾🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘😘🇺🇸 Rafa Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈
May The Almighty God will sustainedd you with good health and empowers you all the time! God Speed Rafa!!!
Rafa will not play today? Any news why?
Rafa withdrew after his loss yesterday. He was not injured but did not want to tire his body. I am torn on this decision, since I do want him to remain uninjured. I do, however, feel bad for the fans. Thiem filled in for him against Karen. Rafa’s camp was being extra careful since he plays soon in Brisbane.
I just hope it’s only caution. It’s quite worrying that he felt the need to rest after just one match. Fingers crossed that they’re just being extra careful.